Signature Events in Fairfax County, www.fxva.com

*all events and dates are subject to change; check website for details. January Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration An inspiring 3-day annual event at the Reston Community Center which includes special performances, Community Service Projects, and the Voices of Inspiration Program sponsored by the Reston Martin Luther King, Jr. Church. www.restoncommunitycenter.com

February Black History Month Observed at In observance of Black History Month, February 1 through 28, Mount Vernon interpreters highlight at the slave quarters the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha every day from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Black History Month activities usually take place every day in February except Presidents Day. www.mountvernon.org

George Washington's Birthday Celebration at Mount Vernon 's favorite breakfast was "hoecakes, swimming in butter and honey." Join "General Washington" for a sample of this meal (while supplies last) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. New this year: the cavalry comes to town! The Second Continental Light Dragoons will ride throughout the estate on horseback. Join characters from the 18th century as they help visitors surprise General Washington with rousing birthday cheers! www.mountvernon.org

City of Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival Among the events planned each year are the Taste of Chocolate, featuring chocolate vendors selling their wares; the Chocolate Challenge, an arts extravaganza where the medium is chocolate; the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast featuring chocolate chip pancakes; historical re-enactments; children's activities; open houses at historic buildings; and much more. www.chocolatefestival.net

March Mason Neck State Park Eagle Festival Enjoy family fun at the Mason Neck Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park. This family-friendly event celebrates the local wildlife & environment with live wildlife shows, guided hikes, kayaking, archery lessons, pony rides, activities for children, food and drink, live music, and much more to see and enjoy! http://masonneckstateparkfriends.org

Woodlawn Needlework Show & Sale Woodlawn Estate was the first family home of Eleanor “Nelly” Custis, the granddaughter of George and and one of America’s foremost needle workers. Woodlawn's annual Needlework Show & Sale honors her legacy as an American crafter by showcasing hundreds of amazing needlework creations from artists across the country and maintaining the long tradition of the needle arts today. http://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org

April National Cherry Blossom Festival - Fairfax County Self-Guided Garden Tour The area's broad mix of flowering trees, sprouting bulbs and native blooms fuels months of color in world-class gardens. Tour 25 acres of landscaped beauty along the Potomac River at River Farm. Once owned by George Washington, this gem is now home to the prestigious American Horticultural Society. It just doesn't get better than this. Just past an enclave of trees, a secret garden reveals itself at Green Spring Gardens. This hidden wonder is a gold mine of information and inspiration for the home gardener. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a 95-acre complex, is like a year-round walk through a beautifully illustrated textbook of native plants, birds and butterflies. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org Bluebells at the Bend Festival See the first signs of spring's arrival - the carpet of Virginia Bluebells throughout the forest - by attending the Bluebells at the Bend Festival, located at Riverbend Park. Enjoy wildflower walks, face painting, live animals, moon bounce, and music. There will also be food vendors, crafts, our longhouse to explore, puppet shows and wagon rides. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend

May McLean Day Spend the day outside with the McLean Community (nonprofit groups, crafters, local businesses) and enjoy carnival rides, live entertainment and delicious food. http://www.mcleancenter.org

Viva! Vienna! The Rotary Club of Vienna sponsors the Viva! Vienna! event, in which The Town of Vienna celebrates the unity and strength of the Vienna community and honors Memorial Day with craft and food vendors and entertainment for the whole family. http://vivavienna.org

Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour Celebrate the history of wine in Virginia with candlelit tours of the Mansion, including the rarely- open basement where Washington stored his wine, and live jazz on the east lawn overlooking the scenic Potomac River. www.mountvernon.org

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, produced by the Greater Reston Arts Center, is a top- rated annual juried outdoor street festival held in the heart of the elegant and bustling Reston Town Center. The two-day event attracts over 50,000 patrons and provides an interactive experience to view, purchase, and experience art directly from the unique and talented artists who have created it. http://restonarts.org/fineartsfestival

Wolf Trap Summer Season Blast Off! "The President's Own" United States Marine Band comes to Wolf Trap, the only National Park for the Performing Arts in the country, for its famous summer season kick off with a program of concert band favorites. A fireworks display follows the concert. This event is the traditional kick- off event for Wolf Trap's world-renowned summer concert series and is free to the public but fills up fast and the park closes at capacity. www.wolftrap.org

June Herndon Festival Carnival rides, entertainment, fireworks, food and craft vendors and more come to downtown Herndon in this four-day community festival. www.herndonfestival.net

Celebrate Fairfax! Festival Celebrate Fairfax!, Northern Virginia's largest community-wide celebration, arrives every June and hosts tens of thousands of visitors during the three-day run. The 25-acre site is magically filled with fascinating sights and sounds of more than 300 exhibitors, food vendors, crafters and interactive activities. Celebrate Fairfax! showcases live concerts on several stages, a children's area, a petting zoo, the Fairfax County Karaoke Championship, carnival rides, and great festival foods. Nightly fireworks are a highlight of the festival, and one of many great family programs. www.celebratefairfax.com

Sully Historic Site Antique Car Show On Father's Day, over 400 vintage cars and trucks converge at Sully Historic Site from as the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Model A Ford Club of America hosts it's annual antique car show. There are Model-T take-apart demonstrations, food for sale, and 1950s-style music. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully

Innovations in Flight Family Day and Aviation Display See 50 visiting vintage, recreational, military, and homebuilt aircraft, on display outside the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for one day only. Talk to pilots and find out what skills are needed to fly. Inside the Center, test your piloting skills in flight simulators, talk to aviation experts, and enjoy story time and hands-on activities with the kids. https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/events/innovations-flight

Vintage Virginia This event is a cornerstone of the East Coast wine festival season, located at Bull Run Regional Park, and featuring a one-stop shopping environment for wine collectors and enthusiasts, as well as a unique opportunity to interact with winemakers, movers and shakers, cultivating your own understanding of what makes a quality vintage. www.vintagevirginia.com

July Independence Day Celebrations Many towns and cities in Fairfax County host a number of Independence Day parades, festivals, fireworks shows and special events to correspond with our nation's birthday. Take a look at the website for details of all the celebrations happening in the area. www.fxva.com

An American Celebration at Mount Vernon Historic Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, salutes our first commander-in-chief with a dazzling display of made-for-daytime fireworks during its annual Independence Day event! Visitors will be treated to spectacular smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired over the Potomac River. www.mountvernon.org

Claude Moore Colonial Farm Market Fair Celebrate summer at the Claude Moore Colonial Farm Market Fair. Purchase plants, enjoy live entertainment and performance, shop for the latest fashions and try some 18th-century food and drink. http://1771.org

August 4-H Festival at Frying Pan Farm Park The Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Frying Pan Park Farm Show is for visitors of all ages. Two days of horse shows, livestock and rabbit judging, dog and pet shows, food, kiddie rides, free entertainment, old-fashioned games, goat milking, a pie-eating contest, demonstrations, 4-H Fashion Show, crafters, and much, much more. Fairgoers will also enjoy the fantastic Frying Pan Park Farm Show and Fairfax County Park Authority's 1920s-era Kidwell Farm. Activities include hayrides, cow milking, blacksmith and farrier demos, animal washing and grooming, sheep shearing, and lots more! www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/4-h-fair

Workhouse Brewfest The Workhouse Brewfest is a collaboration of art and beer, craft beer-focused exhibits, gourmet food trucks, workshops and interactive displays. You'll witness live performances from the region’s most popular bands, unique food trucks, air-conditioned art galleries and artist studios, and of course the area’s most exciting beer, spirits, and wine. Located at the historic Workhouse Arts Center. www.workhousebrewfest.org

September Town of Herndon Labor Day Wine and Jazz Festival Celebrate summer's end at the Herndon Labor Day Festival on the Town Green. Renowned musicians, Virginia wines, microbrews, a fine arts show, and more are all part of the festivities. http://www.herndon-va.gov/recreation/special-events/labor-day-festival

Virginia Indian Festival at Riverbend Park This event includes eight Virginia and Washington, DC area tribes including the Rappahannock dancers and drummers. Indian crafts, pottery and music for sale. Enjoy live demonstrations, talks by tribe members, tool-making experts and local archaeologists, plus bow-and-arrow shooting and spear throwing with an atlatl. Help build an authentic dug-out canoe. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend

Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour Enjoy live blues and spectacular views of the Potomac River while sampling wine from 16 Virginia wineries. Visitors learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father's wine endeavors, enjoy live blues music, and meet "George and Martha Washington" on the Mansion's piazza. www.mountvernon.org

Mount Vernon Colonial Market and Fair The annual Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon features dozens of America's finest craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Colonial-attired artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares. The event also features lively 18th-century entertainment including music, fire- eating, sword-swallowing, puppet and magic shows, plus hearty specialty food for sale onsite. www.mountvernon.org

Fairfax County Brewfest Come enjoy a day of locally poured Fairfax County craft beer, fall food, live music and more. All seven of Fairfax County's independent craft breweries will be there. The festival is located on the grounds of Mustang Sally Brewing Co. in Chantilly, VA. http://msbrewing.com/ffxbrewfest

Reston Multicultural Festival The Reston Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. The Multicultural Festival features a Naturalization Ceremony, International Book Fair, National Heritage Award Fellows, arts & crafts, exciting entertainment, Art Mirrors Culture 3D exhibit, delicious food, and family activities from around the world. Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots and share the stories that we gather on the pathways of our lives. www.restoncommunitycenter.com

October Clifton Day The annual Clifton Day includes arts and crafts, antiques, demonstrations, the Town Market, live music, children's activities and lots of good food. http://cliftonday.com

Cox Farms Fall Festival and the Cox Farms Fields of Fear Since 1972, Cox Farms has been a family tradition for thousands of Fairfax County families. The most popular Fall Festival attractions are the famous hayride (around the pond, through the woods, and ending in the Enchanted Barn), five giant slides, the Cornundrum cornfield adventure, rope swings, hay tunnels and more. But what happens when darkness falls on the farm? The Fields of Fear! 20 + acres of terror featuring the Cornightmare, the Dark Side Hayride, the Firegrounds and Fear Games. This Halloween special event is one of Northern Virginia's most memorable fall activities. www.coxfarms.com and www.fieldsoffear.com

Air and Scare Discover the spooky side of air and space at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center's annual Air & Scare! Arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or- treating. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Your favorite Star Wars characters will also be on hand to pose with you for special once- in-a-lifetime pictures! http://airandspace.si.edu/airandscare

Annual Great Falls Studios Tour You’re invited to experience a self-guided driving tour to celebrate creativity. Meet over 40 regionally celebrated painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, photographers, digital artists, wood carvers, quilters and others in their studios on the scenic back roads of Great Falls, Virginia. https://www.greatfallsstudios.com/studiotour

November Holidays are Here! Reston's annual Holidays are Here! Celebration kicks off the holiday season on the day after Thanksgiving each year. Named one of the 10 Best Holiday Parades in America in a USA Today readers' choice poll, the half-mile parade stretches along Market Street featuring Macy's-style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, characters, community groups, dignitaries, guest emcees, and more. Afterward, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, take mini-train rides, enjoy live entertainment and horse-drawn carriage rides, and of course, the famed Reston Town Center tree lighting and caroling. Guests can also enjoy ice skating on the acclaimed Ice Skating Pavilion. www.restontowncenter.com/holidays

December Christmas at Mount Vernon and Mount Vernon by Candlelight Christmas at Mount Vernon has been named as one of the "12 Places to Catch the Holiday Spirit" by AAA! Mount Vernon joyfully decks the halls for Christmas at Mount Vernon, a special daytime program offered through January. Enjoy themed decorations, a gingerbread Mount Vernon, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, visits with Aladdin the Christmas Camel, and much more. Historic Mount Vernon sparkles with holiday cheer during Candlelight Tours, traditionally held from late November through mid-December. www.mountvernon.org

Bull Run Regional Park's Festival of Lights For more than 12 years the Bull Run Festival of Lights at Bull Run Regional Park has drawn thousands of visitors from hundreds of miles away to Centreville, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. The Bull Run Festival of Lights is held each year to celebrate the winter holiday season. The event sees more than 30,000 cars each season, over 130,000 people! https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights

Meadowlark Gardens' Winter Walk of Lights Winter Walk of Lights is an outdoor walking light show with over 500,000 LED lights set in Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. The beautiful, half-mile walk also features an animated Lakeside Lights show. Round out your visit by roasting marshmallows and sipping on hot beverages by the fire. https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights

Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long This free musical celebration hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a Sing-A- Long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with local choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area. Bring a candle and join the tradition of exiting the Filene Center with a candlelight processional during the last verse of “Silent Night.” There will also be a ‘Jing-A-Long’ during the singing of Jingle Bells so remember to bring a bell and your holiday cheer! www.wolftrap.org

For more events and things to do in Fairfax County, please visit our website at www.fxva.com. For questions, contact our office at 703-790-0643.